"I know that it doesn't matter if the person you try to teach doesn't commit to anything, it just matters if you're doing your best at inviting them to come unto christ."

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Guess what... 2 months out today! (24/08/2011)

So it's two months out on my mission as of today, I've just had so
many miracles and so many wonderful experinces. I thank you for all
your letters and e-mails they have really helped me press forward with
faith.
 
This week started off with an assistant to the President exchange
where I had the opportunity to work with some of the finest
missionaries in the mission. I was able to show them how hard I work.
I've been blessed with a wonderful trainer who has a wonder work
ethic, one of the finest lessons I have learn't so far is the ability
to work even if you are physically worn out, the Lord always pushes us
one step further and during those times that we are stretched and we
reach our breaking points, if we press forward, we progress.
 
On Wednesday we had a meeting called a "training camp" where all the
new missionaries gather together again and receive extra training.
Everybody expressed during that meeting how much we all have changed.
It seems that my face relaxes into a smile. No joke. I've seen many
blessed experinces from people who aren't so receptive to people that
accept us straight away. Our investigator Shalome is going to be
baptised this Saturday. I'm so excited for it. It'll be my first
baptismal service on my mission.
 
Today new missionaries are coming into the mission like I did six
weeks ago, today I lose the title of "the youngest missionary in the
mission" but within the next six weeks I won't even be considered a
"new missionary" anymore. I have set myself a really difficult goal
for these six weeks, I am going to become the most urgent missionary
in the England Manchester Mission. That is my goal.
What this goal includes is talking to everyone without fail in any
circumstance, everyone needs this gospel and I will talk to everyone.
 
I've been trying to work on it, my trainer has faith in me, and it is
a difficult task, I've ran alongside a person on a bicycle, talked to
people in cars during a red traffic light, spoken to people out of
windows on a second floor building, every last person is an
opportunity and every opportunity is a blessing. I used to have
problems speaking to people on buses and trains out of shyness but now
it just feels like second nature.
 
I was also blessed to go on an exchange with one of my favourite
missionaries that came on a mission with me, Elder Leimgrub from
Germany, we were able to go with each other and learn many lessons, he
shared with me how excited I get whilst talking to people, I do get
very excited when I talk to people on the street because they are my
brothers and sisters and I'm showing them the way home, unfortunately
because of my excitement I seem to talk at a million miles per hour,
so I'm working on it.
 
We met a man named Albert last week, he was prepared for this message
in the Pre-Mortal life! He is wonderful and he just accepted our
message with no hesitation, he already shared some of the same beliefs
and he commited to sincerly read and pray about the Book of Mormon, I
do know that as he does, he will gain a testimony of it.
 
Something exciting is happening in Rochdale now! The members have
organised that two members will be able to go out with the
missionaries per day. I just had so much success with this new idea.
The only time we are seperated as a companionship is when you are with
other missionaries of when you go out seperately with members, it's a
marvelous learning experince to be out without your companion who you
know will back you up when needed, but when you are out with members
they rely on you to direct the convesation all the time. I absolutely
love it! It is so amazing.
 
This week has been a fantastic week, I've just seen myself grow so
much, especially with my goal of urgency always looking for someone to
talk to, speaking to one person setting up an appointment and then
seeing someone a hundred meters away and saying to your companion "ok
Elder, let's go" then running after them, it is the true joy of
missionary work. Whilst you are seeking for your own brothers and
sisters to hear this message you just can't stop feeling the joy of it
because you are showing them the way home to Heavenly Father.
 
You wouldn't guess how great of a cook I have become whilst on my
mission. Creamy pieces of chunky Chicken with a touch of salsa and
pure steamed Basmati rice in under 10 minutes. Marvelous! (I was
slightly hungry whilst writing this e-mail)
 
In "Preach my Gospel" it tells us that we need to "Listen with Love"
and throughout my service here in Rochdale I love sharing the message
of this restored gospel. I can truely tesify that as I've listened
with love, I have been led to the right people at the right times in
the right places.
 
Thanks for all your letters and e-mails.
 
Elder Sapaden

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